Just finished Bet Me (2004, I think). I'd read Faking It a few years ago.
Both books feature outlandish plots, witty dialogue and lots of pop culture references. This seems to have been a bigger feature in Faking It, filled with references both known and obscure, to '50's hits, than in Bet Me. In Bet Me I was not surprised, then, to encounter Elvis and learn that Min was a huge fan. But when Elvis Costello was mentioned I was really surprised to find myself grounded in the late 20th century. The outlandish plots do make a reader feel ungrounded.
In Bet Me, the heroine falls in love with a guy who takes her out to win a bet (and she knows this). She falls in love but most unwillingly. (The convention that folks fall in love despite themselves, their other plans, the machinations, wishes and expectations of others is fulfilled here; the love interest's ex-girlfriend is a psychologist and still wanting him, uses her expert knowledge to attempt to manipulate him). Crusie shows a sympathetic understanding of female psychology. Something I enjoyed greatly is that Crusie developed the supporting characters - the friends of the tormented couple and her sister.
In Faking It, the plot is even more outlandish. The heroine meets the man of her dreams in a closet, early in the novel. And they kiss, before page 30. (Kissing is very big in Crusie's books and there is a little sex.) A major impediment to their romance, despite their brief acquaintance, is that they are both engaged in illegal activities which leads to having a lot of secrets, misunderstandings and hesitations - why, just the very elements that make up a great romance story.
I think Bet Me could make a cute film. I don't know if its cliched elements make it more or less filmable. I think the "nutty" outlandish elements might be tricky but given the reliance on convention in this genre, it seems a shame to lose them - they're outlandish but original in an environment that's more predictable than a Holiday Inn.
Both books feature outlandish plots, witty dialogue and lots of pop culture references. This seems to have been a bigger feature in Faking It, filled with references both known and obscure, to '50's hits, than in Bet Me. In Bet Me I was not surprised, then, to encounter Elvis and learn that Min was a huge fan. But when Elvis Costello was mentioned I was really surprised to find myself grounded in the late 20th century. The outlandish plots do make a reader feel ungrounded.
In Bet Me, the heroine falls in love with a guy who takes her out to win a bet (and she knows this). She falls in love but most unwillingly. (The convention that folks fall in love despite themselves, their other plans, the machinations, wishes and expectations of others is fulfilled here; the love interest's ex-girlfriend is a psychologist and still wanting him, uses her expert knowledge to attempt to manipulate him). Crusie shows a sympathetic understanding of female psychology. Something I enjoyed greatly is that Crusie developed the supporting characters - the friends of the tormented couple and her sister.
In Faking It, the plot is even more outlandish. The heroine meets the man of her dreams in a closet, early in the novel. And they kiss, before page 30. (Kissing is very big in Crusie's books and there is a little sex.) A major impediment to their romance, despite their brief acquaintance, is that they are both engaged in illegal activities which leads to having a lot of secrets, misunderstandings and hesitations - why, just the very elements that make up a great romance story.
I think Bet Me could make a cute film. I don't know if its cliched elements make it more or less filmable. I think the "nutty" outlandish elements might be tricky but given the reliance on convention in this genre, it seems a shame to lose them - they're outlandish but original in an environment that's more predictable than a Holiday Inn.
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